Netflix may have new series debuting what seems like every other week, but even in the crowded Netflix world, "Santa Clarita Diet" is something different.

Hearing that "Santa Clarita Diet" stars Drew Barrymore, in her first TV project, and Timothy Olyphant, in his first series starring role since "Justified," you might expect a relationship drama. Or maybe a relationship comedy.

But this is no "Walking Dead" exercise in apocalyptic zombie horror. Barrymore and Olyphant play, respectively, Sheila and Joel, a suburban California couple who are, in every other way, utterly ordinary. They work as realtors, live in a cheerful new home in a blandly pleasant development, and are parents to your garden-variety moody teenage daughter, Abby (played by Liv Hewson.)

When Sheila starts feeling strange - really strange, as when she projectile vomits so much liquid it makes a house she's showing look like a crime scene - something is clearly not right.

Creator/producer Victor Fresco (who also created Better Off Ted" and "Andy Richter Controls the Universe") seems to be going for a dark comedy that takes place in a stereotypically sunny setting, playing up the absurdity of Barrymore's bloody appetite against the middle-class routine of going to work and making trips to Rite Aid.

The satire isn't especially sharp, but the cast members throw themselves into the grotesque goings-on with full-on commitment.

Olyphant has always been at his best when he gets to use his sense of humor, and as Joel, he's a panicky mess. But he's also kind of digging how being a zombie has amped up Sheila's sex drive.

Barrymore skillfully underplays Sheila, who's also finding unexpected benefits to her new undead life. Hewson is amusing in what could be a one-note role as Abby, and Skyler Gisondo finds fresh notes as Abby's nerdy friend and neighbor.

Cameos by guest stars, including Nathan Fillion, Patton Oswalt and Portia de Rossi also help keep things moving, even when the writing drags. There are, after all, only so many variations on "How could this happen? We're realtors!"

But "Santa Clarita Diet" deserves points for energy and staying faithful to its nutty premise. It's worth checking out -- just make sure you're not having dinner while watching."Santa Clarita Diet" streams its 10 30-minute episodes on Netflix beginning Feb. 3.